Parkside

Type	Neighborhood
Location	West Philadelphia
ZIP code(s)	19131
Named for	Location adjacent to Fairmount Park
Boundaries	Roughly Girard Avenue to Parkside Avenue, 52nd Street to Fairmount Park
Adjacent	Wynnefield, Belmont Village, Mantua
Major streets	Parkside Avenue, Girard Avenue, 52nd Street
Transit	SEPTA bus routes, trolley lines
Landmarks	Philadelphia Zoo (adjacent), Please Touch Museum

Parkside is a neighborhood in West Philadelphia situated along the western edge of Fairmount Park. The neighborhood's location provides immediate access to the Philadelphia Zoo, Please Touch Museum, and other park attractions. Parkside has faced economic challenges but benefits from its park adjacency and historic housing stock.

History

Parkside developed in the late 19th century as Philadelphia expanded westward. The neighborhood's proximity to Fairmount Park made it attractive to middle-class families. Like many West Philadelphia neighborhoods, Parkside experienced decline in the mid-to-late 20th century but has seen renewed interest due to its location.

Park Attractions

Adjacent to Parkside in Fairmount Park:

Philadelphia Zoo

America's first zoo (1874)
Major family destination
Conservation programs

Please Touch Museum

Children's museum in Memorial Hall
Interactive exhibits
Major family attraction

Character

Housing

Victorian rowhouses
Some larger homes
Mix of conditions
Renovation potential

Challenges

Poverty and disinvestment
Property vacancies
Limited commercial services
Safety concerns in some areas

Living in Parkside

Affordable housing
Immediate park access
Near zoo and museums
Investment opportunity

Getting There

SEPTA trolleys: Route 10, 15
SEPTA buses: Multiple routes along Girard Avenue
Walking: Direct access to Fairmount Park